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Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I am not a super techie.  But the very modestly priced and not very fancy SLR I use takes very high res photos.  Too high to upload.  However, the only editing I generally do is crop the photos to focus on what I really want in the picture.  I use the snippet tool and use those photos that are lower res but work for the upload.  

Jan 30, 2015 12:44 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Thank Jeanne for your experience.

Nancy, Part of the fun of real estate for me is the photography. So after lessons and investing in good equipment and more it is feeding theat need.

David, I am nowhere near where you are or have the time to do all the photoshopping. But I do appreciate it and know the value of good photos. You make it sound so easy and it is for you because you know it.

Jan 26, 2015 12:25 AM
Rainer
42,801
David Wright
Benchmark Realty, LLC - Brentwood, TN
Real Estate Refined

Debbie in addition to being a realtor®, I have been a professional photographer for years with architectural photography a speciality of mine. I photograph totally in RAW, and then in Lightroom I choose the images I want to use follow by initial color and density corrections particularly toning down highlights and bringing up shadows. I will export everything as 8"x12" @300 ppi or larger in jpeg. Then in Photoshop make additional corrections like lightening the shadows if needed and taking down highlights, remove electrical cords, removing wrinkles in pillows or on beds and other items that distract. My final output for MLS and social media is 900 pixels by 600 pixels at 300 ppi.

Good photography makes a hugh difference in presentation. I still can't believe how many photographs are shown in MLS by cell phones or by photographers who don't know how to light or drag the shutter for longer exposures to fill in darker areas of the rooms.

Jan 26, 2015 12:14 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I love photography and the challenge of getting the good shots. It is almost a passion. Bruce, I have invested in a 10-20MM lens and it does a great job and long as the lens is not over extended. I have hired photography before but is not cost effective for $100,000 listings. 

Jan 25, 2015 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I  use professional photaghers for all my listings - they do editing before I even see them. Best money I ever spend in real estate.

Jan 25, 2015 04:52 AM
Ambassador
6,380,446
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I never pay attention to this, and do edit them if they are too dark.

Sep 16, 2019 08:51 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I do pretty big shots and reduce the size after editing for publication.

Nov 10, 2017 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

That's a Suzanne question...but I am going to find out!

May 21, 2017 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
675,149
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

A little late to this party Debbie Reynolds ... I almost always edit my photos before I use them online. Resize, crop, color correction etc. are most common and my usual go to app is ipiccy.com... I rarely upload photos to AR. You got good Google Juice. I was thinking today about a new photo for my profile page and Googled it... You and Craig Daniels popped right up! :O)

Sep 30, 2015 06:17 AM
Rainer
13,588
Fred Van Allen Lincoln Park Pomona Real Estate
First Team Real Estate CHRISTIE'S - Pomona, CA
Green, Classic Architecture and Vintage Homes

I almost always use a pro.  Time is money and as long as someone can do something better than I can I hire out.  Less strees too.  For you who are passionate photography good for you!

Jan 30, 2015 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,256,920
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I have elected not to take my own photos.  I use a photographer that takes amazing shots for $99.  They are high res and he'll do twilight shots for the Schmansy homes as well.  I text him the address and we figure a time and BAM, it's done!  Paypay and done.  Since our "town" is over 400 square miles, it pays dividends to have him at the ready!

Jan 28, 2015 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
387,189
Dana Basiliere
Rossi & Riina Real Estate - Williston, VT
Making deals "Happen"

Wow, I see so many of you using professional photographers and a reasonable prices.  I weigh in with Debbie; it is a passion and I have the the equipment. I use a Canon EF-S 10-22 MM for those tight rooms and I have an EF-S 18-135 mm for my go to lens. I use a remote flash for lighting the end of long rooms or dark corners. The HDR multiple expose mode takes care of shadows but I recommend a tripod for that. then the fun begins selecting the best 36 photos and cleaning them up in PP. Oh, and I shoot full res and reduce for MLS.

Jan 26, 2015 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
599,124
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

High-res pictures are necessary. My MLS downsizes them, but I keep the higher resolution photos for showing in my office or emailing.

Professional photos are great, but not practical in every market or for every listing. In my market we have to hire someone from out of town. They usually come up for a day, shoot many houses, and then email us everything. Time consuming and expensive! The other factor is that I am competing against a lot of people that take terrible pictures or very few pictures.

I enjoy photography and prefer to learn how to take my own shots. I have a decent camera with a 10-22mm lens that gives me good shots of even tiny rooms. I pay attention to lighting and - more importantly - getting the right angles. I also make sure the toilet seats are down, clutter is out of sight, and my reflection is not in the mirror/window/door/microwave, etc. It doesn't take much to outshine the competition if you put a little effort into learning.

Jan 26, 2015 07:08 AM
Rainer
21,891
Kevin Flinn
Platinum Realty LLC - Kansas City, MO

My photographer gives me great photos, and a virtual tour all for only $85.  I hire a professional just like my clients.

Jan 26, 2015 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
236,403
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

For standard sale, mid range and high end properties, I also use a professional.

However, for my short sales and lower priced properties, I use the highest resolution and then use good photo editing software.

Jan 26, 2015 01:06 AM
Rainmaker
369,690
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

I will also say that I am onsite for most photo shoots - because my direction matters - I am also trained in photography, and I know the images that matter most for each property.

Jan 26, 2015 12:49 AM
Rainmaker
369,690
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

I use a pro - her investment in equipment (camera, lenses, lighting, tripods, etc) and software, plus the experience to use it to get incredible photos, makes it an easy decision no matter how expensive or inexpensive the property. In fact, I use her for land, also. She has a price package for basic homes, and one for larger homes. She also shoots in RAW, because the processing creates truer colors.

Jan 26, 2015 12:48 AM
Rainer
80,193
RVA HomePRO Michael Hottman
RVA HomePRO Realtor with Keller Williams serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfiled and Richmond, Virginia - Glen Allen, VA
Helping you achieve goals in life & real estate

Shoot in high resolution, but my MLS drops them to 1920x1080 - and displays even lower resolution. I often go into the big sites and repost higher resolution photos so they display better.

Jan 26, 2015 12:24 AM
Rainmaker
153,167
Nancy Hankin
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Palm Springs, CA

I find it much better to use a professional photographer.

Jan 26, 2015 12:13 AM
Rainer
145,595
Jeanne Kozak
RE/MAX In Action - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR and Broker/Owner in WV and VA

We use high resolution and view them before posting. We will edit if it makes sense, sometimes it makes sense to reshoot. It may take some time, but Debbie is right, on lower priced listings professional photographers are not cost effective.

Jan 25, 2015 11:34 PM
Rainmaker
90,523
Bruce Minter
Swell Real Estate - Virginia Beach, VA
One on one - Every step of the way!

While I can take a good photo and do my own editing, I hire a pro. She has a wide angle lens that I wouldn't personally put that kind of money into and the results are super, her lighting is always perfect regardless of the conditions she is shooting in and no matter how well I think the property is prepared for the photo shoot she always spots something that needs fixed, straightened, removed or even staged a bit differently. Very reasonable and worth every penny. Poor photos are a big pet peeve of mine. Why an owner of a home would tolerate poor photos from an agent is beyond me. With free or nearly free simple to use software out there that can greatly improve a poor photo in a couple minutes there really is no excuse. Furthermore why would a broker/owner allow poor photos with their brokerage name on them to be placed in the MLS or any marketing materials to reflect poorly on their brand? 

Jan 25, 2015 11:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,948,660
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debbie. Yes I edit before I post and then never exceed 650.

Jan 25, 2015 10:53 PM
Rainer
26,418
Denise Tower
Coldwell Banker Gundaker - Maryland Heights, MO
Your Neighborhood Realtor

I learned long ago that a professional does a much better job than I could ever do AND look at all the time I save not trying to fix my work in programs I don't really know how to use.

 

Jan 25, 2015 10:41 PM
Rainer
293,277
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Hire somebody better than you with the right equipment

Jan 25, 2015 10:37 PM
Rainmaker
969,548
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Debbie, I agree if I was and use to take my own photos I would use the largest frame as possible. I now totally use a professional photographer. The results and comments at closing have been amazing. 

Jan 25, 2015 10:36 PM
Rainer
34,318
Lawrence Bland
DMV Realty & Investments, LLC - Waverly, MD

For time and efficieny, it's best to use a professional for pictures. Thats what i do. There are places to cut costs, great photos is not one of them.

Jan 25, 2015 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Debbie Reynolds I work with a professional photographer. However, I get some Panorama from him which I stitch using software I have.

Jan 25, 2015 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Our MLS will resize too. Professionals do shoot in high resolution.

Jan 25, 2015 04:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,862,877
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I shoot in the highest resolution, but I order professional photos for my listings.

Jan 25, 2015 01:13 AM
Rainer
130,752
Alex Piccirillo
Nest Seekers International - East Hampton, NY
Associate Broker

I shoot my photos at the highest resolution, our realnet resizes .

Jan 24, 2015 10:50 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I use the highest possible too. I only get into trouble when my card is getting full and I want to take many extras. You never kow what you might need and when.

Jan 24, 2015 10:46 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Debbie, Thank you for the question. I hope to learn from the answers.

Jan 24, 2015 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,470
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

We recommend high resolution photos and 960 pixels, this is for the web.

Jan 24, 2015 02:35 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,252
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I shoot my photo's at the highest resolution possible.

Our Mls automatically resizes them to fit

Jan 24, 2015 01:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I use the highest possible setting on my camera and then I can crop and manipulate the image and them save for web in Adobe Photo Shop.

Jan 24, 2015 01:33 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Thanks Larry Johnston for sharing. I take most of mine larger than that and save them in case I want to use a portion for something else.

Jan 24, 2015 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I shoot my stills in 1920x1080 HD. Yes I do crop most of my photos.

Jan 24, 2015 01:05 PM